Hacking for Defense® (H4D)

This Student Outcomes blog highlights Sommer Motley! 🌟 After earning her Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan, Sommer pursued a Master's in Advanced Medical Product Engineering and Development. She now works in clinical research at Stryker, a leading medical device company. Sommer’s project focused on enhancing wellness evaluations for Army Special Forces operators, addressing physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and family domains. Her team developed a data analysis plan to improve resource assessments and provided feedback based on stakeholder interviews. Sommer’s dedication to improving soldier wellness showcases her commitment to making a meaningful impact. ➡️ Read her #studenthighlight here: https://lnkd.in/dwMRJY_D 📧 To reach the H4D program team to gauge how you can get involved as an ambassador, mentor, or military sponsor, please email contact@h4d.us #studenttalent #departmentofdefense #defenseinnovation #soldierreadiness

The H4D team hosted a booth yesterday at the vendor crawl during this year’s AIM Health R&D Summit (hosted by VelocityTX) in San Antonio, TX, aka #MilitaryCityUSA! It was an incredible convergence of academia, industry, and the military to propel healthcare innovation for our nation’s defense community. A special thank you to Ambassador William Gates for connecting us to engage in the space. We were able to engage with future problem sponsors and industry mentors. The mayor of San Antonio, Ron Nirenberg, also joined the conference to further highlight San Antonio’s thriving military community! 🌐 For program information or to submit a problem, visit h4d.us/submit-a-problem #AIMHealthSummit #DefenseCommunity #HealthcareInnovation

📢 Calling all #DoD personnel with a passion for innovation and working with academia! We are looking for H4D ambassadors across all branches of the United States Department of Defense! 📧 Express your interest at contact@h4d.us to become an ambassador or set up a Problem Sourcing Seminar at your base (at no cost to your unit). United States Air Force, US Army, United States Marine Corps, US Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Army National Guard, #H4DAmbassador, #DepartmentofDefense, #MilitaryLeadership, #Navy, #Marines, #Army, #NationalGuard, #USAF

🌌 Team MARview: Using Data to Optimize Commercial Shipping! Meet University of Chicago's Team Marview, led by Eric O'Neil and Brian Schmid. Both veterans, they were drawn to the #H4D to leverage their military experience in defense technology and entrepreneurship. Team MARview tackled a problem from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center and Task Force 59. Initially focused on enhancing data access from drones, they pivoted to tapping into commercial vessels' data. Their innovative approach proposed capturing data from commercial ships to supplement naval intelligence, showcasing the power of adaptability and thorough customer discovery. 🛰️ Read Team MARview's Success Story on our blog: https://lnkd.in/eh7r5uNf #HackingForDefense, #H4DTeamSuccess, #H4DFall2023, #Navy

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 Eight #H4D teams from five universities, tackling challenges such as unmanned aircraft systems, autonomous space operations, and satellite efficiency, have been selected for the H4XLabs accelerator program to further develop cutting-edge solutions for national security needs! Starting this week, they’ll work on validating their solutions, finding market fit, securing funding, and turning their projects into investable companies. 🌐 🛰️ Ellen M. Chang, #H4XLabs director, emphasized, "This is a chance for these teams to take their work to the next level, helping the country maintain its competitive edge." 👏 Congratulations to the selected teams: Stanford University: House of Laws, L-Infinity, Juno Astrodynamics, Spectra Labs Columbia University: VALIS University of Chicago: Pharos Aerospace The University of Southern Mississippi: RAT Group Rochester Institute of Technology: CAMA BMNT, #NationalSecurity, #StudentTalent, #DefenseTech, #Startups, #SpaceTech

Meet Noor Scavotto, a Fall 2024 #H4D alum and recent graduate from the College of William & Mary, where she earned her degree in International Relations and Public Policy. Noor's team, Team PIE, tackled the Philippines’ Energy Crisis, focusing on the oil-rich Reed Bank. Drawing on her background in Energy Security in Eastern Europe and Eurasia, Noor and her team proposed a comprehensive solution involving the research, development, and implementation of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to enhance energy security in the region. Throughout her undergraduate journey, Noor gained valuable experience as a research assistant at the Global Research Institute, a research intern at Air Combat Command’s International Affairs Unit, and an analyst-intern at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Noor is set to begin her career in the private sector, contributing her expertise to defense and national security issues. ➡️ Read her highlight on our blog: https://lnkd.in/egX88Fk2 #studenttalent #studenthighlight #defenseinnovation #energysecurity

Last Tuesday, Stanford University's Spring 2024 H4D students delivered their final presentations, showcasing their innovative solution pathways! 💡 The presentations commenced with opening remarks from Doug Beck, Director of Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Radha Iyengar Plumb, Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer at the DoD Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office. This year's keynote speaker, General HR McMaster, shared his unique insights on national security tactics and challenges, engaging with student questions. A heartfelt thank you extends to the support system behind the scenes: the government sponsors, industry and military mentors, and the teaching teams whose dedication makes it all possible! Steve Blank, Joe Felter, Peter Newell, Steve Weinstein, Eric Volmar, Jeff Decker, The Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation

Our 18-month follow-up on the Spring 2022 #H4D cohort (nearly 300 students) reveals the significant impact of graduates in national security roles. 41% are now working in government or industries supporting the national security enterprise, with this 41% breaking down as follows: 🛡️ 28% are specifically working for the DoD 🏛️ 5.5% are in other federal, state, and local government roles 🏢 7.5% are in industries supporting national security These findings highlight H4D graduates' substantial contributions to national security efforts. #H4DImpact #PublicServiceImpact #GovernmentCareers #SecurityInnovation #DefenseCareers

Meet Sharon N., a dynamic graduate student at Georgetown University specializing in Communications, Culture, and Technology. In Fall 2023, Sharon enrolled in Hacking for Defense (#H4D), where her World War Waste Team partnered with MacDill Air Force Base to tackle food waste challenges in their dining hall. The team discovered that true sustainability requires a community-driven approach, laying the groundwork for future initiatives. 🌟 This summer, Sharon joins the Common Mission Project as a Strategic Communications & Marketing Intern, where she will build upon her H4D foundation to support program development and communication efforts. ➡️ Read her highlight on our blog: https://lnkd.in/edUqFP4q #studenttalent #studenthighlight #departmentofdefense #defenseinnovation

🗓️ As the H4D Spring 2024 semester wraps up, Fall 2024 is just around the corner! #DoD personnel, are you ready to validate or solve your challenges with the help of an H4D student team? Submit your problems now at h4d.us/submit-a-problem. 🔍 Wondering what your H4D journey will look like? Check out the H4D Journey Map below to envision the commitment, growth, and achievements that await you. #DoD #navy #marines #army #nationalguard #airforce #militaryleadership